Relapse Recovery in Multiple Sclerosis: Effect of Treatment and Contribution to Long-term Disability

Background: Although recovery from relapses in MS appears to contribute to disability, it has largely been ignored as a treatment endpoint and disability predictor.

Objective: To identify demographic and clinical predictors of relapse recovery in the first 3 years and examine its contribution to 10-year disability and MRI outcomes.

Methods: Relapse recovery was retrospectively assessed in 360 patients with MS using the return of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Functional System Scale and neurologic signs to baseline at least 6 months after onset. Univariate and multivariable models were used to associate recovery with demographic and clinical factors and predict 10-year outcomes.

Results: Recovery from relapses in the first 3 years was better in patients who were younger, on disease-modifying treatment, with a longer disease duration and without bowel or bladder symptoms. For every incomplete recovery, 10-year EDSS increased by 0.6 and 10-year timed 25-foot walk increased by 0.5 s. These outcomes were also higher with older age and higher baseline BMI. Ten-year MRI brain atrophy was associated only with older age, and MRI lesion volume was only associated with smoking.

Conclusions: Early initiation of disease-modifying treatment in MS was associated with improved relapse recovery, which in turn prevented long-term disability.